Results are out; they have made and marred fortunes of political parties. How far the new governments will help the people has to be seen in near and distant future. But certainly they will have strong bearings on UP elections in 2017 and the next Lok Sabha elections in 2019.
One conclusion can be safely derived that most voters focused on development and not on parties and personalities. Common man is more concerned about his wellbeing and that of his family and he wants freedom from rampant corruption, nepotism, injustice and misgovernance.
BJP is gloating over its success in Assam while avoiding any mention of its debacle in three other states. In Assam BJP’s alliance with regional parties, meticulous planning and firm support from RSS paid rich dividends. Besides, its stress on and promises about development, which Assam badly needs also helped it. Its projection of sizeable Muslim presence as a danger also helped it in garnering Hindu votes in a big way. It is BJP’s old strategy of polarisation which it used here also.
Congress lost because of its overconfidence, internal conflicts and neglect of ground realities. Whether BJP accommodates all sections of state and works in true spirit of reconciliation or further divides the people is to be seen.
Tamil Nadu remains bipolar with Anna DMK getting 40.8 per cent votes and DMK improving its position as a stronger opposition with 31.6 per cent popular votes. It is to be seen how far the rampant corruption is controlled and the state improves its quality of governance.
Kerala, which has changed hands and power, is now with Left Democratic Front (LDF). It is a valuable gain for the Left and a big loss for Congress. BJP with its Hindutva ally Bharat Dharma Jana Sena (BDJS) has secured 14.6 per cent votes. BJP’s emergence may adversely affect the very cordial Hindu-Muslim-Christian relations in the state.
Mamata Banerjee has emerged stronger with unprecedented 44.9 per cent votes. It was possible with very solid support of Muslims who formed about 29 per cent of population. Muslims expect that she will address the problems of their marginalisation and neglect which has made their position very pitiable.
The grand old party Congress is in very bad shape. It must set its house in order through introspection and overhauling. The most significant effect these elections will make will be on UP elections 2017 and the next Lok Sabha elections 2019.
Lessons Learnt From Assembly Elections 2016
Results are out; they have made and marred fortunes of political parties. How far the new governments will help the people has to be seen in near and distant future. But certainly they will have strong bearings on UP elections in 2017 and the next Lok Sabha elections in 2019.
